About Spanish accents

They show the word stress when the word stress breaks the normal rules. If you understand the written accents you will be able to read Spanish out loud with correct word stress. Some  words can have a change in meaning according to the accents eg. esta = this, está = it is. This concept also exists in English and in particular in Italian.

Unaccented Accented Adjectives Pronouns mi my mí (a mí) me (to me) tu your tú, tí you el the él he Demonstrative adjectives   Demonstrative pronouns este this éste this one ese that ése that one etc. etc. Miscellaneous Miscellaneous aun even aún still, yet como as,  like cómo how mas but más more si if sí yes solo alone sólo only

What are the rules for regular word stress, i.e. words with no accents?

Rule 1: Words ending in a vowel; n or s are stressed on the last syllable but one. E.g.: casa, libro, mesa, coche, madre, lunes, joven.

Rule 2: Words ending in a consonant (not including n and s) are stressed on the last syllable. E.g.: beber papel, verdad.

Here are some tips to facilitate the learning of accent or "tilde".

- The most common use of the accent are the words ending in -ación. e.g. nación
- Learn the accents in the regular verbs because they are the most used.
- Learn the accents of most common words, e.g., aquí, más, allá, página, sí (yes).
- Question words such as: que, donde, cuando, cual, cuanto, have an accent when they are used for questions (either direct or indirect)